Table of Contents
Before you buy real leather, you must know that it’s categorized into many types depending on how they’re manufactured and their quality.
After knowing what full-grain leather is, you can decide if this highest-priced real leather is for you now. We’ll also tell you about its advantages and disadvantages, how to recognize it, and how to care for it.
What is Full-Grain Leather?
Full grain is the entire hide of the animal without splitting into parts. When it is turned into leather after removing hair and without sanding or buffing, it’s one of the thickest and strongest leather, with its strength and protein preserved. Full-grain leather is famous for its natural blemishes, imperfections, and patina appearance as it gets older with use.
How is Full-Grain Leather Made?
Once the hair is removed from the full-grain animal hide, it’s directly sent for the tanning process, which involves the manufacturing process of using chemical treatments to the animal hide to turn it into leather.
Only full-grain leather uses the whole animal hide, unlike top-grain or split leather, where the hide is split into layers before being sent for the tanning process.
How Can You Identify Full-Grain Leather?
Identifying full-grain leather is straightforward because of its premium look, feel and smell.
From the texture
Full-grain leather has natural imperfections, blemishes, wrinkles, and hole patterns that are not uniform. If it’s used for a long period, you will find scratches and a glossy or matte patina on it.
By touching
When you touch the full-grain leather, it’ll be rough and uneven, unlike other types of leather with a smooth surface.
By smelling
When you smell it, the full-grain leather will smell earthy, unlike synthetic leathers that smell like chemicals.
By the price
The full-grain leather products’ price tags are higher than any other leather.
Advantages of Full-Grain Leather
Very long-lasting and durable: Full-grain leather retains the hide’s natural strength and is exceptionally durable and capable of surviving years of use.
Has a premium look and develops an attractive patina: Over time, full-grain leather will show a rich patina that increases its visual appeal and makes it look luxurious.
Has a premium soft feeling: The natural fibers of full-grain leather have a soft, luxurious feel to the skin that improves with age and use.
Breathable: Full-grain leather’s natural structure allows air circulation, reducing moisture buildup and making the wearer comfortable.
Disadvantages of Full-Grain Leather
Expensive: Manufacturers face higher costs due to the scarcity of suitable hides and the labor-intensive process of preserving the leather’s natural state, which makes full-grain leather very costly.
Not completely waterproof: While full-grain leather is water resistant to some extent, excessive exposure will damage it.
Not stain resistant: The porous nature of full-grain leather makes it susceptible to stains and it can be difficult to remove them.
Where is Full-Grain Leather Used?
Full-grain leather is very popular and used in shoes, boots, and accessories like bags, weapon holsters, belts, and apparel like jackets, and more.
How to Maintain Full-Grain Leather?
Although full-grain leather is durable, to keep it supple, soft, and looking new, you must care for it, or over time it’ll get cracks and will become less pliable.
Do Not Expose it to Water
Full-grain leather is water resistant, but it’s not waterproof. Try to prevent exposing it to water as much as possible. If exposed, it will lose its natural oils and consequently get cracks and will be damaged.
However, you can use the leather waterproofing spray that gives the leather a water-repellent coating for a period of time to protect it from water damage.
Additionally, keep it in a cool and dry place where there’s no humidity to protect it from moisture, or your full-grain leather product will absorb moisture over time, which can lead to a bad smell, reduction in its strength, and even peeling and cracking.
Clean it with a Soft Cloth
Regularly wiping your full-grain leather product with a soft cloth removes dirt and prevents dust buildup that leads to surface abrasions, staining, and degradation and compromises your full-grain leather product’s appearance and longevity.
Do Not Expose It To Heat
Exposing full-grain leather to heat can cause it to dry out and its dye to fade or change color, resulting in an uneven and unattractive appearance.
Prolonged exposure to heat can also dry the leather of its natural oils, leading to cracks, stiffness, and a dull appearance.
Use a Leather Conditioner
Applying a quality leather conditioner replenishes natural oils in the leather, keeps it supple, and protects it from stiffness. It also helps in the development of a beautiful patina over time.
Read more about: How to choose the best leather conditioner
Should You Buy Full-Grain Leather?
Yes, full grain is considered one of the premium quality materials for apparel and accessories. It’s durable and gives a premium feel, and it’s worth investing in. However, it’s costly as well. Therefore, if you’re on a budget, full-grain leather isn’t the end; there are more affordable leather options when it comes to real leather, like top grain, split leather, bonded leather, and even vegan leather if you’re open to looking for more options.
